Patrick Ge

Hello! My name is Patrick and I completed my exchange during the Winter 2016 term at the Hong Kong University of Science & Technology. I still remember the feeling of excitement coupled with anxiousness as I boarded the plane on my way to Hong Kong. For me it was a big decision as I would be leaving all my friends, delaying my graduation and venturing into a complete unfamiliar environment. Looking back, everything was worth it and I can honestly vouch that going on exchange will be one of the most unforgettable experiences in your life.

HKUST has the most gorgeous campus in Hong Kong and would be a strong contender on the global front. Although we were a bit farther from the center of the city, we had the ocean by our side and the serenity sometimes made you forget that you’re still in Hong Kong. HKUST also boasts one of the biggest exchange programs in Asia with over 100 exchange students in the Winter term. You will meet and make friends from all over the world!

In terms of courses, the school has a diverse selection of offerings and I decided to take a full course load. In terms of difficulty, I would say it definitely was a bit more challenging than I expected, but it was rewarding nonetheless.

Travelling. This is one of the main reasons I decided to go on exchange and Hong Kong being a travel hub, any destination in Asia was within reach. During the 4 months, I travelled to Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, and Shanghai to name a few.

Everyone I met on exchange was just as ardent on travelling as myself so finding groups of friends to travel with was never an issue.

All in all, exchange has truly been an enriching experience that widened my perspective on the world. I strongly encourage everyone to venture out of their comfort zone and apply for an HK exchange!

As for me, Hong Kong will always have a special place in my heart and I can’t wait to go back!